New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture launches redevelopment campaign
17th February 2020 · 0 Comments
By Kai Wilson
Contributing Writer
To honor the late Leah Chase, her family, and the Chase Family Foundation, the New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture began working on a series of initiatives and projects to redevelop, renovate and stabilize the museum, all while getting connected back to the community.
Chase was both a Creole cuisine icon and a well-known patron and supporter of visual arts. During her lifetime – Jan. 6, 1923 to June 1, 2019 – she supported numerous artists and art institutions.
Gia M. Hamilton, NOAAM’s executive director and chief curator, said that to solidify and affirm Chase’s work, the museum will be establishing the Leah Chase Gallery in the Villa Meilleur, the main house, which will showcase the museum’s permanent collection, and the establishment of the “Paving Our Way Home Brick Campaign.”
NOAAM kicked off it’s $15 million capital campaign and announced the formation of its new National Advisory Committee on Jan. 9, 2020, when the board announced its fundraising efforts to raise the $15 million.
The work of the committee is dedicated to projects like the capital campaign, renovating and stabilizing the historic exterior to protect against further deterioration and water damage, to establish security and safety systems on the campus, and to endow future programming.
Hamilton explained that the process of reviving an organization like NOAAM is a tedious one and should be done with great care. “When you are institution-building, and that is for Black institutions really trying to build something of long-lasting value, it requires that we slow the pace down, that we act strategically, and with integrity,” Hamilton said.
Along with Hamilton, the committee members include former New Orleans mayor Marc H. Morial, who is the National Advisory Committee chair, and president/CEO of the National Urban League; Arthel Neville, Jackie Harris, Lolis Eric Elie, Arthur Lewis, and NOAAM board chair Michael G. Griffin.
“This capital campaign represents one of the most significant fundraising opportunities for New Orleans since the initial development of the National World War II Museum,” Griffin said in a statement outlining the significance of the capital campaign fundraising efforts. “Sharing the heroic stories of our people is key to our future.”
The restoration of the museum’s campus to make it into a world-class, state-of-the-art facility is central to this initiative, Griffin added. “Adding the Leah Chase Gallery to the historic Tremé Villa enhances the important legacy and mission of this institution,” Grifiin said in the statement. “I look forward to the entire community embracing this vision and celebrating NOAAM’s significance to our city, state, nation, and world.”
NOAAM is also adamant about being “good stewards of the neighborhood and environment,” Hamilton added, especially considering the nature of New Orleans’ landscape and weather. The organization also wants to make sure that they maintain a close connection with the community and are playing a positive role in the community.
“Community is what sustains us,” said Hamilton.
The advisory committee members hope to generate more community support for expanding and preserving the museum. Although most large donations typically come from a variety of private and public funds, foundations and patrons, individuals can donate by buying a customizable brick that will be part of the “Paving Our Way Home Brick Campaign.” There are also volunteer opportunities that are listed on the calendar of the museum’s website. The next volunteer training will be held on-site on March 14, 2020.
“I am extremely proud of the opportunity to be part of an effort to revive NOAAM,” Morial said in a statement. “It was with great pride that we initiated and created the NOAAM during my days as mayor of our beloved city. Now, we must bring it back better than ever.”
The committee is encouraging New Orleans residents to visit their website for more information on supporting the initiative at www.noaam.org and to sign up for its email list by emailing info@noaam.org.
This article originally published in the February 17, 2020 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
